Chandrashekhar Thorbole, Director of Thorbole Simulation Technologies presented this at CPSC's ATV Safety Summit Oct. 12, 2012. ATV crashes involving rollovers are mainly governed by factors such as an ATV’s dynamic characteristics, terrain properties, and rider performance. To develop successful safety strategies, ATV crash reconstruction requires detailed crash site surveys and proper understanding of injuries involved, which is often time consuming and costly. Computer simulation technology, widely used in various engineering fields to improve occupant protection features, could be applied to the field of ATV safety. The requirements of an accurate dynamic ATV model, ATD (Anthropomorphic Test Device) models, and terrain environment are essential for any successful ATV crash simulation. In order to successfully conduct sensitivity analysis to understand the most significant factors dictating injury outcomes the ATD must possess bio-fidelity of a bicycle or motorcycle rider, the ability to grip a handle bar, and have a human face profile in order to facilitate correct helmet fit. The Arkansas ATV Safety Research group has developed a computer model of an ATV which can be used to simulate crashes. Future injury simulations will be conducted utilizing a rider and passenger. Pending activities also involve the development of a child rider ATD model for child injury prevention education and the development of applications for testing ATV helmets.

1. Computational Mechanics for ATV Safety
Chandra Thorbole, Ph.D.

2. Computational Mechanics in Crash Safety
Finite Element
Methods
Occupant Video
Protection
Multibody Dynamics
ATV Safety Summit
October 11th & 12th

3. Computational Mechanics for ATV Safety
Rollover stability &
Primary Handling
Prevention Characteristic
Rider
Protection
Secondary Injury Analysis and
Prevention Prevention
ATV Safety Summit
October 11th & 12th

4. ATV Rollover Types
GAO-10-418 Report, “All-Terrain Vehicles-How they are
used,crashes,and Sales of Adult-Sized Vehicles for Children’s
Use”, April 2010.
ATV Safety Summit
October 11th & 12th

5. Real World Accident Research
Rollover Type : Forward Flip
Rider + Passenger
ATV Speed 6mph
Injury : Neck Injury (Spinal cord involved)
Injury Mechanism : The metal rack impacted
the neck.
Front Wheels: Locked
ATV Safety Summit
October 11th & 12th

6. Computational Mechanics for ATV Safety
ATV Computer
Model
Successful ATV Rider
Rider Model Injury Prevention
Terrain
(Environment)
Model
ATV Safety Summit
October 11th & 12th

7. Computational Mechanics for ATV Safety
ATV Computer
Model
ATV Safety Summit
October 11th & 12th

8. Sensitivity Analysis -Evaluation
Initial Speed 10mph
Deceleration for soil trip 0.5 sec
Response : Rear Axle Lift
Factors
1. No of people on ATV (Rider ,Passenger)
2. Ground Slope
3. Rider Grip Hold (Time)
Factor combination (All High Level)
ATV Safety Summit
October 11th & 12th

9. Mechanics
Shift the moment about point “a”
Video
ATV Safety Summit
October 11th & 12th

10. Evaluation
Video
ATV Safety Summit
October 11th & 12th

11. Future Work
Rider Model for Injury Analysis
&
Helmet effectiveness
ATV Safety Summit
October 11th & 12th

12. Thank You
ATV Safety Summit
October 11th & 12th